Daily Current Affairs 2025  

02/01/2026

WhatsApp Email Facebook Share

CA-02/01/2026

• Founded: 8 December 1949, began operations in May 1950
• Mandate: Provide direct relief and works programs for Palestinian refugees until a just and lasting solution is found
• Headquarters: Amman, Jordan & Gaza
• Commissioner-General: Philippe Lazzarini
• Staff: Around 30,000 employees
• Budget: Approx. US$806 million (2020)

• Education: Operates schools serving hundreds of thousands of children.
• Healthcare: Runs clinics and hospitals providing primary care.
• Relief & Social Services: Food aid, cash assistance, and community support.
• Infrastructure & Camp Improvement: Upgrades refugee camps and facilities.
• Microfinance: Provides small loans to support livelihoods.
• Emergency Response: Humanitarian aid during conflicts and crises.

• Political Pressure: Israel recently passed legislation stripping UNRWA of diplomatic immunity and cutting utilities to its facilities, raising concerns about access to education and healthcare.
• Funding Shortfalls: UNRWA relies heavily on voluntary contributions, often facing budget crises.
• Humanitarian Needs: Millions of refugees depend on UNRWA for survival, especially amid ongoing conflicts.

• Cabinet froze Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues worth ₹87,695 crore.
• Repayment rescheduled over a 10-year period (FY32–FY41).
• Provides cash flow relief and halts further interest/penalties.

• Centre currently holds 48.9% equity in Vodafone Idea.
• Package seen as a step toward government exit via stake sale.
• Private investors are being courted; two major corporate groups have shown interest.

• Earlier allowed reassessment of statutory dues.
• Relief package aligns with judicial directions.

Dimension	Significance
Telecom Sector Stability	Ensures survival of Vodafone Idea, maintaining a three-player market (Jio, Airtel, Vi). Prevents duopoly.
Government Role	Marks a shift from state ownership to private participation. Reflects broader disinvestment strategy.
Investor Confidence	Freezing dues provides visibility over liabilities, a key condition for private investment.
Public Interest	Safeguards services for 20 crore subscribers, avoids disruption in telecom services.
Economic Policy	Example of targeted relief balancing fiscal responsibility with market stability.

• Disinvestment Strategy:
  • Similar to Air India’s privatization, this could be another strategic exit by the government.
  • Reflects policy of reducing state role in non-strategic sectors.
• Regulatory Lessons:
  • AGR dispute highlights need for transparent revenue-sharing models.
  • Relief package shows government’s willingness to revisit rigid policies when systemic risk is high.

• Financial Fragility: Despite relief, Vodafone Idea’s debt burden remains massive, raising survival concerns.
• Investor Appetite: Success of government exit hinges on attracting credible private investors willing to inject capital.
• Competition: Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel continue to dominate, making Vodafone Idea’s turnaround difficult.
• Policy Uncertainty: Any shift in telecom regulation or AGR reassessment outcomes could alter the relief’s impact.

• All-India Rainfall: Only 4.9 mm in December 2025, 69% below average.
• Historical Context: Fifth driest December since 1901; lowest since 2001.
• Regional Impact:
  • Delhi: No rainfall at all, second-driest December in a decade (after 2023).
  • Central India: Lowest December rainfall in 124 years.
  • East & Northeast: Sixth-lowest December showers.
• Weather Events: Only 14 instances of very heavy rainfall nationwide, compared to 146 in December 2024.
• Fog: Prolonged dense fog across north and northwest India, lasting weeks.

• Feeble western disturbances (normally bring winter rain/snow).
• Absence of strong easterly winds.
• No significant wind interactions over central India.
• Unfavourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a global weather phenomenon that influences rainfall.

• Water Recharge: Winter rainfall and snowfall are crucial for replenishing groundwater and rivers in higher-altitude regions.
• Agriculture: Dry conditions may affect rabi crops, though strong irrigation and full reservoirs from last year could soften the impact.
• Climate Signal: Such extreme anomalies highlight the increasing variability of India’s winter weather patterns.

Factor	Normal Role	December 2025 Outcome
Western Disturbances	Bring rain/snow to north India	Weak, failed to trigger rainfall
Easterly Winds	Support rainfall in central/east India	Absent
MJO	Enhances rainfall globally	Unfavourable phase
Result	Balanced winter precipitation	69% rainfall deficit

• New Framework Approved: PFRDA’s board has given in-principle approval for banks to sponsor and manage pension funds under NPS.
• Eligibility Criteria: Only well-capitalised and systemically robust banks will qualify, based on:
  • Net worth
  • Market capitalisation
  • Prudential soundness (aligned with RBI norms)
• Current Landscape:
  • Until now, pension funds were sponsored mainly by life insurance and mutual fund companies.
  • There are currently 10 pension fund managers handling NPS assets worth ₹15.95 lakh crore for 2.1 crore subscribers (as of Nov 2025).
• Impact on Subscribers:
  • Greater choice of fund managers
  • Potentially lower costs due to increased competition
  • Stronger safeguards for investments

• Diversification: Banks bring strong financial infrastructure and customer reach.
• Trust Factor: Many subscribers already have long-term relationships with banks.
• Ecosystem Strengthening: More players mean innovation and efficiency in pension fund management.

• Execution Risk: Banks must build expertise in pension fund management, which differs from traditional banking.
• Regulatory Oversight: Ensuring compliance with both RBI and PFRDA norms will be critical.
• Market Concentration: Large banks may dominate, potentially sidelining smaller players.

• Established: 23 August 2003, based on the OASIS report recommendations
• Type: Statutory regulatory body under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India
• Primary Role: Supervises and regulates pension funds, especially the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Regulation: Ensures pension funds operate transparently and securely.
• Development: Expands pension coverage to more citizens, including unorganized sectors.
• Oversight: Monitors fund managers, trustees, and intermediaries.
• Safeguarding Interests: Protects subscribers’ contributions and ensures fair returns.
• Innovation: Recently allowed Scheduled Commercial Banks to set up pension funds, boosting competition in NPS.

• A banking correspondent is an agent of a bank (individual or entity) engaged to offer banking services in unbanked or underbanked areas.​
• The retail outlet where this agent actually meets customers and conducts transactions is termed a banking outlet/BC outlet.​

• RBI defines a “banking outlet” as a fixed-point service unit manned either by bank staff or by a Business Correspondent, providing banking services for at least 4 hours a day and 5 days a week.​
• Such outlets are treated as part of the bank’s network and are subject to norms on distance from base branch, cash holding limits, KYC, grievance redress etc.​

• Opening of basic savings accounts, e-KYC based accounts, and small-value deposit accounts.​
• Cash deposits and withdrawals, small-value remittances, disbursal and collection of small loans, and sale of micro-insurance, pension or other third-party products as permitted.​

• Banking correspondent outlets substitute for brick-and-mortar branches in remote villages, reducing banks’ operating costs while extending last-mile access to formal finance.​
• In rural India, a very high share of banking access points are now through BC/banking correspondent outlets, making them central to the financial inclusion strategy.​

• Purpose: To prevent “carbon leakage” (companies shifting production to countries with weaker climate rules) and to level the playing field for EU industries under the Emissions Trading System (ETS).

• Mechanism: Importers must buy CBAM certificates reflecting the embedded carbon emissions of their products. The price mirrors the EU ETS carbon price.
• Scope: Initially covers steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers, hydrogen, and electricity imports. More sectors may be added later.
• Timeline:
  • 2023–2025: Transitional phase (reporting only, no payments).
  • 2026 onwards: Definitive regime with actual payments.

• India’s exports hit: Steel and aluminium exporters face 15–22% price cuts to remain competitive, as EU buyers adjust for CBAM costs.
• Trade negotiations: India is pushing for carve-outs and flexibilities in the upcoming India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to mitigate CBAM’s impact.
• Revenue shift: EU expects CBAM to generate significant funds while incentivizing cleaner production globally.

• Export competitiveness: Countries like India may lose market share unless they decarbonize production.
• Administrative burden: Accurate emissions reporting and verification are mandatory for exporters.
• Political friction: Developing countries see CBAM as a non-tariff barrier, potentially complicating trade deals.
• Global ripple effect: Other regions (US, UK, Canada) are considering similar mechanisms, which could reshape global trade norms.

• Date & Location: December 4–16, 1971, Shakargarh salient (Punjab, Pakistan).
• Objective: India aimed to secure the Shakargarh bulge to protect the vital Jammu–Pathankot axis and prevent Pakistan from cutting off India’s link to Jammu & Kashmir.
• Result: Clear Indian victory, with Pakistan suffering heavy tank losses.

• At just 21 years old, six months into service, Khetarpal commanded a tank in the 17 Poona Horse regiment.
• Despite his tank being hit and aflame, he refused orders to abandon it.
• He destroyed several Pakistani Patton tanks before being fatally hit.
• Awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration for valor.

• Adopted on 12 December 2015 at COP21 in Paris.
• Signed by 195 countries, committing to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
• Entered into force on 4 November 2016 after ratification thresholds were met.

• Global participation: Nearly universal membership, making it the most inclusive climate pact ever.
• Emission reductions: Countries have submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), leading to slower projected warming compared to pre-Paris trajectories.
• Renewable energy boom: The agreement accelerated investments in clean energy and climate finance.
• Policy alignment: Many nations embedded Paris targets into domestic laws and policies.

• Insufficient pace: Current pledges still put the world on track for ~2.5–2.7°C warming by 2100, far above the 1.5°C goal.
• Implementation gaps: Many countries struggle with enforcement, financing, and balancing economic growth with climate goals.
• Equity concerns: Developing nations argue that climate finance and technology transfer commitments remain unmet.

Aspect	Paris Agreement Goal	Reality After 10 Years
Global temperature rise	Limit to 1.5°C	On track for ~2.5–2.7°C
Emission pledges (NDCs)	Updated every 5 years	Many lagging, insufficient ambition
Climate finance	$100B annually by 2020	Target missed, trust deficit persists
Renewable energy	Accelerated adoption	Significant growth, but fossil fuels still dominant

• Global Stocktake (2023–2025): First comprehensive review of progress under Paris Agreement, showing urgent need for stronger commitments.
• COP30 in Brazil (2025): Positioned as a turning point for scaling ambition and climate finance.
• Next decade focus: Closing the gap between pledges and action, ensuring equity for vulnerable nations, and achieving net-zero pathways.

• Record-breaking procurement approvals in 2025 marked a milestone in India’s defence self-reliance.
• Indigenous technology push reinforced confidence in the armed forces and reduced dependency on foreign imports.
• Strategic autonomy focus: DRDO’s innovations are seen as vital for India’s long-term security and global standing.

• Founded: 1958
• Motto: Balasya Mulam Vigyanam (“Strength’s Origin is in Science”)
• Role: Indigenous design and development of advanced defense technologies for the Indian Armed Forces.
• Impact: Strengthens national security, sovereignty, and Atma-Nirbharta (self-reliance) in defense.

• Agni Series: Long-range ballistic missiles, including Agni-V (intercontinental range).
• Akash & Akash-NG: Surface-to-air missile systems with advanced targeting.
• BrahMos: Supersonic cruise missile jointly developed with Russia, considered one of the fastest in the world.
• Rudram-2 (2024): India’s first indigenous air-to-surface anti-radiation missile.

• LCA Tejas: India’s first indigenous light combat aircraft, inducted into the Indian Air Force.
• Advanced UAVs: Nishant, Rustom, and other unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and combat.

• Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (Pinaka).
• Electronic Warfare Systems & Radars.
• Sonars & Torpedoes for naval defense.
• NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection technologies.

• Successful flight tests of next-gen Akash missiles.
• Development of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile.
• Strengthened cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.

• Founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS), which became a powerful platform for social reform.
• Advocated for education as the foundation of empowerment, establishing schools and colleges.
• Championed women’s rights and empowerment, a progressive stance for his time.
• Remembered as the “Madan Mohan Malaviya of Kerala”, highlighting his stature as a reformer.
• His ideals continue to inspire leaders today, with tributes emphasizing his relevance in building a just, compassionate, and harmonious society.

• Definition: An Inclusive Technology Business Incubator (i-TBI) are specialized centers supported by India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the NIDHI programme, designed to democratize innovation and entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan hubs.
• Purpose: To nurture technology-led, knowledge-driven enterprises by offering a supportive ecosystem for high-risk, high-growth ventures.
• Host Institutions: Typically set up in universities, technical institutes, and management schools to leverage academic expertise and infrastructure.

• Infrastructure: Dedicated space for startups (e.g., NIT Hamirpur’s i-TBI spans 7,118 sq. ft.).
• Mentorship: Guidance from boards of directors, faculty, and industry experts.
• Funding Support: Access to DST’s NIDHI grants, Startup India Seed Fund, and venture investments.
• Focus Areas: Healthcare devices, sustainability, mobility platforms, drones, food innovation, and deep-tech.
• Inclusivity: Targets underserved regions and communities, ensuring innovation is not limited to big cities.

Institution / Location	Initiative	Focus Areas	Notable Outcomes
Delhi Technological University (DTU)	DST-supported i-TBI	General tech innovation	Part of 15 i-TBIs across India
Sona Incubations, Salem	Inclusive i-TBI	Healthcare, mobility, sustainability, drones, food tech	17 startups funded with ₹11M DST grants
NIT Hamirpur (Uttishthati Foundation)	i-TBI-NEB scheme	Tech-driven solutions	Dedicated incubation space, mentorship, commercialization support

• Funding sustainability: Grants are limited; startups must eventually attract private investment.
• Regional disparities: While inclusivity is a goal, some incubators may still face resource gaps compared to metro-based accelerators.
• Commercialization hurdles: Bridging the gap between prototype and market-ready product remains a challenge.

• Purpose:
  • To clean up India’s statute books by repealing laws that are redundant, outdated, or no longer relevant.
  • To make small corrections (like removing inconsistencies, updating terminology, or deleting unnecessary provisions) in existing laws.
• Frequency:
  • These Acts are passed periodically. Since 2014, over 1,562 obsolete laws have been repealed.
• Legal Effect:
  • Repeal does not affect rights or obligations already accrued under the old law.
  • Amendments ensure clarity and consistency in the legal framework.

• Repealed:
  • 71 obsolete Acts dating from 1886 to 2023.
  • Examples include colonial-era laws and statutes that had lost relevance.
• Amended:
  • Indian Succession Act, 1925 → Section 213 deleted, ending the requirement of mandatory probate of wills in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
  • Code of Civil Procedure → Streamlined provisions for modern administration.
  • General Clauses Act → Updated for consistency.
  • Disaster Management Act → Adjusted for contemporary governance needs.

• Simplification: Removes clutter from the statute book, making laws easier to understand.
• Modernization: Updates laws to reflect present-day realities instead of colonial-era requirements.
• Efficiency: Reduces unnecessary litigation and bureaucratic hurdles (e.g., probate requirement for wills).
• Governance Impact: Helps align India’s legal framework with current administrative and social needs.

• Risk of Over-repeal: Critics argue that sometimes even relatively recent Acts are repealed, raising concerns about legislative oversight.
• Implementation Gap: Amendments must be effectively communicated to courts, lawyers, and citizens to avoid confusion.
• Regional Impact: The probate change affects only Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata; elsewhere, probate rules remain unchanged.

• Full form: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan
• Launched: March 2019, scaled up in January 2024
• Objective: Provide energy and water security to farmers, enhance income, de-dieselize agriculture, and reduce environmental pollution.

1. Component A:
   Farmers can set up decentralized grid-connected solar or renewable energy plants (up to 2 MW) on their land.
2. Component B:
   Installation of standalone solar pumps to replace diesel pumps.
3. Component C:
   Solarisation of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.

• Feeder-level solarisation: Instead of focusing only on individual pumps, PM-KUSUM 2.0 emphasizes solarising entire agricultural feeders. This ensures reliable daytime power supply for all farmers connected to that feeder.
• Decentralised solar push: Strengthens India’s renewable energy goals by reducing grid stress and subsidy burdens.
• Farmer benefits:
  • Lower electricity costs
  • Reduced dependence on diesel
  • Opportunity to earn income by selling surplus solar power to DISCOMs.
• Policy alignment: Supports India’s climate commitments and agricultural sustainability by integrating clean energy into rural infrastructure.

• Implementation delays: Past rollout faced slow adoption due to financing and state-level coordination.
• DISCOM cooperation: Success depends on distribution companies buying surplus solar power.
• Farmer awareness: Need for strong outreach to prevent misinformation and scams (fake websites have already been flagged).

Download Pdf